WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3037/98 by John IVERSEN to the Commission. Television without frontiers
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, IVERSEN
Subjects: Denmark, administrative cooperation, approximation of laws, audiovisual communications policy, broadcasting, free movement of programmes, national implementing measure, provision of services, sporting event, television

C 135/156

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.5.1999

(1999/C 135/193)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3036/98

by María Izquierdo Rojo (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Joint EU-Algeria education programmes

(2 October 1998)

Would the Commission be prepared to draw up plans for joint actions in the field of education as a specific
EU-Algeria programme?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 1998)

Within the context of the MEDA programme, in 1996 the Commission came to an agreement with the
Algerian government on a programme of bilateral financial cooperation lasting several years, which takes
into account on the one hand the main thrust of MEDA policies − support for economic transition, a better
socio-economic equilibrium and for the development of civil society and on the other the socio-economic
challenges facing Algeria and the security situation. On this basis, the Commission and the Algerian
government have chosen to concentrate funds on five cooperation programmes.

As the social situation is worrying and the unemployment rate is around 30 %, the Commission would like
to provide support in reinforcing the social net through job creation. Other elements of the programme
include structural adjustment facility, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, privatisation and
the modernisation of the financial sector. Current Community cooperation programmes and those in
preparation include major training components, such as the training of business women, financial sector
employees or traditional fishermen.

Since education is an area of Euro-Mediterranean partnership as defined in the Barcelona declaration, the
Commission and the Algerian government could take the opportunity offered by the revision of MEDA
programming to redefine future cooperation priorities on the basis of Algeria¢s medium- and long-term
sectoral strategy and agree to target education from now on.

(1999/C 135/194)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3037/98

by John Iversen (PSE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Television without frontiers

The qualifying match for the European Championship between Denmark and Belarus in Belarus was
shown only on TV3 since the other channels DR and TV2 were unwilling to pay the high cost. This meant
that only 60 % of viewers were able to see the match. This is not in conformity with the Council directive
stipulating that some national sporting events must not be shown only on channels available to a small
section of the population. Is there a loophole in the directive?

How does the directive affect the cost of television rights?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 1998)

Article 3a(1) of Directive 89/552/EEC (the ‘Television without frontiers’ Directive) (1), as amended by
Directive 97/36/EC (2), allows − but does not require − Member States to take measures in accordance
with Community law to ensure that a substantial proportion of the public is not deprived of the possibility
of following events of major importance for society via live or deferred coverage on free television.